Method and apparatus for marking curved surfaces



p 18, 1962 L. RlZZETTl 3,054,494

' METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MARKING CURVED SURFACES Filed Sept. 8, 1959 2Sheets-Sheet 1 4 INVENTOR.

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United States Patent 3,054,494 METHGD AND AIPARATUS 153R W6 CURVEDSUP-.F-EAQES Lidio Rizzetti, Dalmine (Bergamo), Italy, assignor toDalmine S.p.A., Dalniine (Bergaino), Italy Filed Sept. 8, 1959, Ser. No.838,473 Claims priority, application Italy Sept. 9, 1958 17 Claims. (Cl.197-64?) The present invention relates to a method and apparatus formarking curved surfaces, and more particularly to a method and apparatusfor providing punched letters or numerals on bodies or containers havingcurved walls, such as steel bottles having narrow necks.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a method andapparatus for the above described purpose which does not require manualoperation of punches.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method andapparatus for punching words, numerals, or

other signs on curved walls of containers in such a manner that themarked characters are uniform.

The outer surface of conventional metal bottles and similar containerssuitable for containing fluids under pressure, is generally providedwith markings by means of punches which are placed on the surface of thecontainer, and hammered by a skilled operator. Markings obtained by thismanual operation are not completely uniform, and the work takesconsiderable time, particularly since the speed of the operation dependson the skill of the operator. Furthermore, the punches are worn andsometimes break, which adds to the cost of the operation.

In accordance with the present invention, a body is marked by moving amarking punch repeatedly into marking engagement with the surface of thebody, while the marking punch is angularly oscillated, preferably in twointersecting planes, so that the apexes of the angles in the planescoincide and are located at the surface point to be marked. The axis ofthe punch assumes positions corresponding to generatrices of a conewhich has its apex at the punching point. The punch is subjected torepeated rapid blows by reciprocating hammer means. In a preferredembodiment of the invention, first and second supports or frames aremounted for angular oscillation about two perpendicular axes whichintersect at an intersecting point, holding means for marking punchmeans are mounted on one of the frames, the marking punch means aremounted for movement toward and away from the intersecting point of theaxes, and hammer means apply repeated blows against the marking punchmeans during the angular oscillations of the two frames. A body, such asa container for fluid under pressure, which has a curved surface, isplaced with the surface point to be marked located at the intersectingpoint, and is marked when the marking punch means engages the respectivesurface point.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are fragmentary schematic perspective viewsillustrating a punch operating on the outer surface of a hollowcontainer;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 55 in FIG. 4;

3,54,494 Patented Sept. 18, l62

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 66 in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary elevation taken in the direction of the arrow 7in FIG. 6, and illustrating a detail.

Referring now to the drawings, the apparatus according to the presentinvention comprises two supports or frame means 1 and 2 of rectangularshape, frame means 2 being located within the larger frame means 1.Frame means 1 is mounted by a pair of pivot means 3 and 3' oncorresponding supporting bearings 4 and 4' for angular oscillation abouta first axis BB. Bearing supports 4 and 4/ carry pivot means 5 and 5which are supported for turning movement by further supports 6 and 6which rest on supporting columns 7 and 7' which are part of thesupporting base of the apparatus.

Frame means 2 has hollow pivot means 8, 8 located in bearing supports 9and 9' secured to frame means 1 so that frame means 2 is mounted forangular oscillation about an axis A-A which extends perpendicularly tothe axis BB.

Frame means 1 has a forked arm 10, best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7 defining aslot in which a roll 11 is slidingly located. Roll 11 is eccentricallymounted on a disk 12 which is fixed to a large gear 30. A pinion 32 issecured to a shaft means 34 so that rotation of shaft means 34 effects amovement of roll 11 about a circular path, and oscillation of framemeans 1. Consequently, the apparatus comprises moving means foroscillating support means or frame means 1 about the axis BB.

A corresponding fork means 36 is secured to frame 2, as best seen inFIG. 5, and cooperates with a roll 38 which slidingly engages the slotin the forked arm 36, as best seen in FIG. 5. Roll 38 is eccentricallymounted on a disc 40 which is connected to a shaft means 42 turnablymounted on frame means 1. When shaft means 42 is rotated, the movingmeans 36, 38, 40 effect an angular oscillation of frame means 2 aboutthe axis AA. A fixed bearing portion 44 secured to frame means 2supports shaft means 42.

The amplitude of the oscillations performed by frames 1 and 2,respectively, depend on the distance between the roll 11 or 38 from theaxis of rotation of disc 12 or 40, respectively, and rolls 11 and 38,respectively are preferably adjustable for varying effective radiusbetween the axis of the disc 12 or 40, and the axis of the roll.

Shafts 34 and 42 may be driven from any suitable conventional powersource, or through a suitable transmission.

Frame means '1 and 2 are simultaneously oscillated about the respectiveaxes AA and BB. Pivot means 3, 3' and 8, 8 are located in such a mannerthat the axes intersect in a plane at a point X, and during the punchingoperation, the surface point to be marked on the outer surface of thebody or container is placed at the point of intersection X.

A third frame means 13 is located within frame means 2, and is mountedon the same to extend parallel to the same during sliding movement ontwo supporting bars 14 and 14' which pass through corresponding alignedbores in frame means 1, and also through the hollow pivot means 8 and 8'of frame means 2. A rack bar 16 is fixed on guide bar 14, and mesheswith a pinion 15 which can be driven to displace the third frame means13 in a direction of the axis AA. A conventional power source may drivepinion 15 through a suit-able transmission.

A holding means 17 for punches 21 is mounted for sliding movement in thedirection of the axis B-B in guide ways of frame means 13, and includesan inner punch holder plate 20 having guide holes in which a set ofpunches 21, 21', 21" etc. are detachably mounted.

The guide holes are arranged in two sets of perpendicular rowsextending, respectively in the direction of the axes AA and BB. Theouter frame of holding means 17 is secured to a pair of rack bars :18and 18 meshing with pinions 19 and 19', respectively so that whenpinions 19 and 19 are driven by suitable means, not shown, the holdingmeans 17, 20 are displaced in the direction of the axis BB. Since framemeans '13 can be displaced with holding means 17, 20 in the direction ofthe axis A-A, any guide hole of the punch holder 20 can be placed in anaxis DD extending through the point of intersection X of axes AA and BBand perpendicular to the same. A hammer means 22 is located in the axisDD and reciprocable along the same. A bracket arm 23 is rigidly fixed toframe 2 and supports the hammer means 22 for reciprocating movement inthe direction of the axis DD.

The surface point X of the container or body to be marked by the punchmeans 21 is placed in the axis DD and in engagement with the point ofpunch 21. The character on punch 21 will produce a corresponding markingon the point X on the outer surface of the body K, while the punchassumes positions inclined to the axis DD, with the axis of the punch 21extending through generatrices of a cone, as best seen in FIGS. 1 to 3.These positions of the punch means 21 is obtained by simultaneouslyangularly oscillating frames 1 and 20 corresponding to the curvature ofthe outer surface of the body K so that the resulting marking will beuniform and of constant size and depth in successive markings.

Conventional mechanical means are provided for synchronizing andcoordinating the movements of the hammering means, as well as theinclination of the frames and punches in order to obtain the continuouspunching of a selected word, number, or other signs according to acircular or circumferential alignment of a portion of the outer surfaceof the body K. The body or container K is intermittently displaced, andthe entire apparatus is preferably inclined a selected angle to thesurface corresponding to an axis CC passing through the point Y which isthe focal point of the geometrical configuration of the outer surface tobe punched, for example a spherical, elliptical, conical, parabolical,or hyperbolical surface. In this manner, a selected group of words,numbers or other signs can be marked in successive parallel rows incircumferential direction of the marked body;

It will be understood that .each of the elements described above, or twoor'more together, may also find a useful application in other types ofmarking methods and apparatus differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in anapparatus employing punches oscillating in two perpendicular planes, itis not intended to be limited to the details shown, since variousmodifications and structural changes may be made without departing inany way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can by applying current knowledgereadily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this inventionand, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to becomprehended Within the meaning and range of equivalence of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A method for marking a.- body comprising the steps of moving amarking punch repeatedly into marking engagement with the surface ofsaid body While angularly oscillating said marking punch with the apexof the angle located at the surface point to be marked.

2. A method for marking a body comprising the steps of moving a markingpunch repeatedly into marking engagement with the surface of said bodywhile angularly oscillating said marking punch in two perpendicularplanes with the apexes of the angles in said planes coinciding andlocated at the surface point to be marked.

3. A method for marking a body comprising the steps of holding a bodyhaving an axis and a curved surface; and moving a marking punchrepeatedly into engagement with the curved surface of said body whileangularly oscillating said marking punch in two perpendicular planeswith the apexes of the angles in said planes coinciding and located on asurface point to be marked on said curved surface, one of said planespassing through said axis.

4. A method for marking a body comprising the steps of holding a bodyhaving an axis and a curved surface of revolution; moving a markingpunch repeatedly into engagement with the curved surface of said bodywhile angularly oscillating said marking punch in two perpendicularplanes with the apexes of the angles in said planes coinciding andlocated on a surface point to be marked on said curved surface, one ofsaid planes passing through said axis; and rotating said body stepwiseabout its axis so that surface points around the periphery of said bodyare marked.

5. A method for marking a body comprising the steps of holding a markingpunch in a position located opposite a point to be marked on the surfaceof said body while angularly oscillating said marking punch in twoperpendicular planes with the apexes of the angles in said planescoinciding and located at said surface point; and directing successivehammer blows against said marking punch so that the same is moved intomarking engagement with said surface point.

6. An apparatus for marking a body having a curved surface, comprising,in combination, a first support means; first moving means for angularlyoscillating said first support means about a first axis; second supportmeans mounted on said first support means for movement about a secondaxis perpendicular to said first axis and intersecting the same at anintersecting point; second moving means for angularly oscillating saidsecond support means about said second axis and being operativesimultaneously with said first moving means; holding means mounted onsaid second support means; marking punch means mounted on said holdingmeans for movement toward and away from said intersecting point and in adirection transverse to said axes; hammer means for applying blowsagainst said marking punch means during angular oscillations of saidfirst and second support means whereby a body having a curved surfacewith a surface point to be marked located at said intersecting point ismarked when said marking punch means is brought into marking engagementwith the surface point while marking punch means is moving in directionsdifferently inclined to said curved surface.

7. An apparatus for marking a body having a curved surface, comprising,in combination, a first frame means; first moving mean for angularlyoscillating said first frame means about a first axis; second framemeans mounted. on said first frame means within the same for movementabout a second axis perpendicular to said first axis and intersectingthe same at an intersecting point; second moving means for angularlyoscillating said second frame means about said second axis and beingoperative simultaneously with said first moving means; holding meansmounted on said second frame means; marking punch means mounted'on 'saidholding means for movement toward and away from said intersecting pointand in a direction transverse to said axes; hammer means for applyingblows against said marking punch means during angular oscillations ofsaid first and second frame means whereby a body having a curved surfacewith a surface point :to be marked located at said intersecting point ismarked when said marking punch means is brought into marking engagementwith the surface point while said marking punch means is moving indirections differently inclined to said curved surface.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 and including means for movingsaid holding means on said second frame means in the directions of saidfirst and second axes.

9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 and including rack bar andpinion means for moving said holding means on said second frame means inthe directions of said first and second axes.

10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said hammer means aremounted on one of said frame means and located in a plane passingthrough the axis of the respective frame means.

11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said holding meansincludes a plurality of guide means; wherein said marking punch meansincludes a plurality of marking punches respectively guided in saidguide means of said holding means; and wherein said holding means ismounted on said second frame means for movement relative to the samebetween positions in which different marking punches are located undersaid hammer means.

12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said guide means arearranged in a plurality of crossing rows so that said guide means arelocated in a first set of rows extending parallel to said first axis andin a second set of rows extending parallel to said second axis; whereinsaid holding means includes a third frame means movable on said secondframe means in direction of said second axis and a punch holder movableon said third frames means in direction of said first axis.

13. An apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein each of said first andsecond frame means includes forked arm means; and wherein each of saidfirst and second moving means includes a rotary member having aneccentric part engaging the said forked arm means of the respectiveflame means.

14. An apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said second framemeans includes hollow axle means mounted on said first frame means forturning movement about said second axis; and wherein said third framemeans includes guide shaft means slidably passing through said hollowaxle means and being also slidably supported on said first frame meansso that said third frame means is movable in direction of said secondaxis.

15. An apparatus as set forth in claim 14 including rack bar meansconnected to said third frame means and to said punch holder; and pinionmeans meshing with said rack bar means for moving said third frame meansand punch holder to positions in which selected punches of said markingpunches cooperate with said hammer means.

16. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6 and including means forturnably supporting a body having a body axis and a suface of revolutionin a position in which said body axis extends at an angle to a planedefined by said first and second axes, and in which position a point ofsaid surface is located at said intersecting point of said first andsecond axes so that successive surface points are placed at said pointof intersection when said body is turned about said body axis.

17. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6 and including means forturnably supporting a body having a body axis and a surface ofrevolution in a position in which said body axis extends at an angle toa plane defined by said first and second axes, and in which position apoint of said surface is located at said intersecting point of saidfirst and second axes so that successive surface points are placed atsaid point of intersection when said body is turned about said bodyaxis, and in which position a tangential plane at said surface pointcoincides with said plane of said first and second axes.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,654,311 Costanzo Oct. 6, 1953

